DISCLAIMER: Star Trek, Star Trek:Deep Space Nine and its characters
are copyright Paramount and no infringement is intended. The story, such
as it is, is copyright Karen Colohan 1997.

NOTE: This story takes place before the reconciliation between Bashir
and his parents in "Doctor Bashir, I Presume".

SET ME
FREE

by Karen Colohan

Julian Bashir slammed the flat of his hand against the wall in weary frustration.
The gesture was a somewhat pointless one; it achieved nothing, except to
painfully abrade the sensitive skin of his palm against the rough stonework.
Still, it reflected the doctor's current mood. Five or six times now Julian
had explored the confines of his small prison and, as on each of the previous
occasions, he had found no sign of a way out.

He had lost count of the hours - indeed it seemed more like days - since
his captors had thrust him into this cold, bare, dank room. However, Julian
was rapidly coming to the conclusion that they had forgotten about him. No-one
had been near him since his imprisonment. He was hungry, thirsty and horribly
tired. He wanted nothing more than to be able to sleep, to pass a few hours
in restful oblivion, but the discomfort of the room, coupled with his own
apprehension, had denied him even that respite.

Utterly discouraged Julian slumped down on the rough floor, back to the nearest
stone wall. He drew his knees up tight to his chest, attempting to generate
some warmth. It didn't seem to help. The damp atmosphere had slowly leached
away all his body heat. It didn't help either that his uniform had acquired
several large rips during his capture - one shoulder seam had given way
completely on both the coverall and the shirt underneath as he had tried
to pull free of his assailants. Julian hadn't gone down without a fight!
Not that his defiance had achieved much, he reflected ruefully. He had still
ended up stuck in this cold, dark cell - neglected, forgotten.

Julian wondered idly just what his captors had in mind for him. As far as
he'd been able to tell, the reason for his abduction from DS9 was personal.
Someone had a grudge against his father and had apparently decided to use
Julian in a scheme to even things up between them.

Great, my father's on someone's shit list and I'm the one who gets
to take the flak for it! thought Julian morosely. Well, if they're
planning on demanding a ransom or some such nonsense I'll probably be here
forever. Daddy dearest will be too busy with his latest grandiose scheme
to bail me out - probably won't even realise that I'm being held. Captain
Sisko will try and find me I'm sure, but I'm not holding out much hope right
now...

The doctor shivered again. The chill dampness of the air seemed to penetrate
bone-deep. It wasn't just the temperature that made him shudder though. The
sense of total isolation was starting to get to Julian. At least if his captors
showed their faces from time to time he would know he hadn't been
forgotten... As it was, the unchanging gloom of the cell, the utter silence,
made him feel as if nothing existed beyond the confines of this room. A deep,
miserable sigh escaped the young man - he had never felt more alone in his
entire life.

As the hours continued their slow passage Julian alternated between anger
and despair. In those moments when his temper got the better of him the doctor
would once again search every nook and cranny of his stone prison with grim
determination, looking for a means of escape. Each time though the results
of his efforts were the same. The floor and walls were solid rock and there
was no possibility of breaking through them. There were no windows and the
single door was heavy, fitting snugly into its frame. It was at this point
that all the energy generated by his anger would drain out of Julian and
he would sink back into despair.

By this time the doctor was also utterly exhausted and the lack of water
was beginning to take its toll. Licking his dry lips Julian sank down on
the cold floor, curling himself into a foetal position. Despite his uncomfortable
surroundings he was so tired that sleep finally claimed him.

Julian woke suddenly, confused and disoriented. It took him a long moment
to remember where he was and how he had come to be there. He sat up slowly,
his muscles were stiff and sore. Looking around him the doctor noted that
nothing had changed since he fell asleep. He was still alone and had not
been provided with either food or water. Apparently his welfare was not a
high priority for his captors. Carefully Julian stretched his cramped limbs,
groaning at the discomfort as blood began to circulate more freely to his
extremities again. His thirst bothered him more though. The doctor in him
knew that if he weren't given something to drink soon he would become seriously
dehydrated.

All at once Julian became aware of something different in his surroundings.
It took him several moments of intense concentration to realise that the
absolute silence had finally been broken. He could hear the faintest of scraping
sounds. Eventually he identified that it was coming from the direction of
the door. Had his captors at last decided to check if he was still alive?
Julian inched back across the floor, away from the door, until he fetched
up against the far wall. A tremor ran through him, whether inspired by the
cold or apprehension he wasn't entirely sure. If it came to it he seriously
doubted he had the strength to fight any more.

Strangely though it seemed to be taking a very long time for the door to
open. Surely if whoever was out there had a key they would have come in by
now... For the first time a faint glimmer of hope entered Julian's thoughts.
He huddled against the wall and stared fixedly at the still closed door.

It seemed an eternity before a louder click sounded in the small cell. It
was followed by a heavy grating noise as the door slowly began to open. Julian
tensed as a shadowy figure slipped inside, pushing the door almost shut again
behind him. The doctor's eyes widened in shock though as he realised who
it was that had entered the room.

"Garak?" he croaked in disbelief.

"Doctor!" The note of relief was clearly evident in the Cardassian's hushed
voice. He hurried across to where Julian sat and sank down at his side. Worried
blue eyes searched the doctor's face for signs of injury. Garak noted that
Julian's lips were cracked and dry and he had a few superficial looking bruises,
but that otherwise he seemed unharmed - at least physically so. The Cardassian
also noticed that the lower part of the doctor's face was heavily shadowed
with a dark stubble that made him look quite different from the familiar
clean-shaven young man.

However, Garak's relief at finding Julian was tempered with concern over
his mental state. The doctor had remained huddled against the wall like a
small child and the expression in his hazel eyes had only slowly turned from
fear to bewilderment and finally recognition. One slim hand crept out, carefully
touching the Cardassian's face as if to verify that he was real. The fingers
felt like ice against Garak's cheek and he made a small, involuntary sound
of distress.

"Yes, doctor, it is," Garak soothed. He reached up and took hold of Julian's
hand in his own, fingers stroking in gentle reassurance.

"How?"

"After you were abducted the Constable set about tracking the ship your captors
used. Eventually he was able to follow the warp traces to this barren place.
Captain Sisko promptly despatched the Defiant to rescue you and bring you
back to DS9."

"Why...? How is it that you're here though?"

"I convinced Odo that my skills might be useful," admitted Garak with a small
smile. "I was most - concerned for your safety, doctor."

"You - you wanted to help me?" Julian's eyes held an expression of uncertainty,
as if he could not quite understand why the Cardassian would do such a thing.
If the doctor's doubt as to his motives disturbed Garak he gave no outward
sign of it.

"Yes. It's really very simple, doctor. I would be most distressed if any
harm came to you," said Garak carefully. "I decided that by coming on this
mission I would have the best chance of ensuring that didn't happen." While
Julian's tired brain tried to process this information the Cardassian continued.
"I'm afraid though that you must remain in this unpleasant place just a little
longer. Odo and his men are rounding up your captors as we speak. When it
is safe to leave he will signal me. We need to get to the planet's surface
then. The rock is too thick to allow us to transport directly from down here."

"All right, Garak," agreed Julian tiredly. "I - do you have any water with
you though? They - they haven't given me anything to eat or drink since I
was brought here. They just left me down here - alone..." There was a noticeable
catch in the doctor's voice and, as he glanced up at the Cardassian, his
eyes betrayed how hard he had found his enforced isolation. Garak also noticed
that Julian had made no effort to remove his hand from his reassuring grasp.
Still, perhaps it was unsurprising if he had been left completely on his
own for more than two days in this awful place. Had the doctor truly believed
he had been abandoned, perhaps left to die? If so, no doubt he was grateful
for the tangible reminder that he was no longer alone.

Garak had to let go of Julian's hand though in order to retrieve a water
bottle from the bag he had been carrying slung over one shoulder. The doctor
took the proffered container gratefully, sipping carefully at first to moisten
his parched lips and throat. Then he gulped down a considerable measure of
the cool, refreshing contents.

"Thank you," he said quietly, when he had drunk his fill. Julian's voice
was still a little rough, but it evidently no longer pained him so much to
speak. He handed the bottle back with a tentative smile. The Cardassian returned
the smile as he took it, stowing it away in the bag.

"Is there anything else you need?" asked Garak. "I'm afraid I don't have
any food to offer you."

"I wish I wasn't so cold," admitted Julian. "This room is so chilly and damp
I haven't been able to get warm at all. Of course, my uniform getting torn
didn't help either." He gestured vaguely at the damaged coverall.

Garak's eyes were drawn like a magnet to the ripped material. Up to now he
had been trying very hard not to look. Where the seam had given out
and there was nothing to hold it in place, the uniform had peeled away from
Julian's shoulder, leaving it, and a portion of his chest, visible. The
golden-brown skin thus revealed - and the brief glimpse of a darker brown
nipple Garak was afforded whenever the doctor moved - intrigued the Cardassian.
His fingers had been itching to reach out and touch...

"Garak?" There was a definite question in Julian's voice.

"What?" The Cardassian dragged his gaze back up to the doctor's face.

"Are you all right, Garak?" asked Julian anxiously. "You - you seemed
to be miles away."

"I'm sorry, I was only wondering how long it would be before Odo sends the
signal," Garak lied smoothly. "The sooner we can get you back to the Defiant
the better. I'm afraid I don't have anything with me I can use to repair
your uniform. It never occurred to me that my tailoring skills would
be required on this mission."

"You could still help me to get a little warmer though," said Julian, glancing
at his companion shyly.

"Oh, how?" asked Garak innocently.

"If - if you sat next to me and put your arms round me your higher body
temperature might make me feel better," Julian suggested. Garak stared at
the doctor with an expression of mixed shock and barely disguised hunger.

"I - are you sure?" he managed at length. The doctor nodded. Garak hesitated
a moment longer, but he could see Julian was shivering. It wasn't that he
didn't want to hold the human. He did, very much - it was simply that he
wasn't certain how his body would react to the closeness.

Garak had been craving a more intimate relationship with his friend for months
now. When he had learned of Julian's abduction he had been horribly afraid
that he would never see him again. So as soon as the Cardassian discovered
that Odo believed he knew where the doctor was he had determined he would
be part of the rescue team. It was becoming obvious to Garak that his feelings
for the human had gone far beyond simple friendship. Julian had never said
anything to indicate what his own feelings were - or if he had guessed at
Garak's - but the tailor had his hopes. He hadn't expected to be forced to
show his hand so soon though.

Still, Garak realised Julian would think it odd if he refused the request
and in any event, the doctor did need the warmth; his icy hands had revealed
that. It would be the utmost cruelty to turn away from him. Offering up a
small prayer, and wishing for self control, Garak settled himself on the
hard floor at Julian's side. At once the doctor snuggled against him and
Garak folded his arms protectively around the slender figure.

"Oh, that feels good," sighed Julian as some of Garak's warmth began to seep
into his chilled body.

You don't know the half of it, doctor, thought Garak ruefully. Julian
squirmed in the loose embrace, arranging himself more comfortably. His cheek
came to rest against the Cardassian's chest and he could hear the echoing
sound of Garak's heart. The strong, rapid beat was strangely reassuring and
relaxing. Soothed, Julian began to slip into much-needed sleep.

Garak was eternally grateful when he saw the doctor's eyelids flutter shut.
The young man's nearness was affecting him even more than he had thought
it might and he had feared Julian would notice his reactions. The feel of
the human in his arms and his distinctive scent were conspiring to give the
Cardassian an achingly hard erection. He had never noticed just how soft
Julian's hair was before. Normally it was neatly brushed, as smart as everything
else about the doctor, but now it fell onto his forehead in disarray. Errant
strands of it tickled Garak's chin when he glanced down at the bent head.
He could feel the tension slowly draining out of the doctor's body as he
held him and with an effort he forced himself to try and relax too.

The Cardassian was quite unprepared for the shock that jolted him out of
his hard-won composure when one of Julian's hands dropped laxly into his
lap. Garak's blue eyes widened in disbelief and he couldn't suppress the
startled gasp that escaped him. The sound, and his small, involuntary movement,
disturbed the doctor and he came awake at once.

"What...?" Julian suddenly glanced down and noticed for the first time where
his hand was resting. "Ohhh!" he muttered in embarrassment, abruptly turning
an interesting shade of red. "Garak, I'm sorry, I... Garak?" All at once
the doctor had noticed the heat radiating into his palm. A dawning understanding
lit his features as his questing fingers measured the hardness which had
bloomed in the Cardassian's lap.

"Doctor," murmured Garak painfully, "I'd really rather you didn't do that.
I - I'm not sure how much more I can take," he added honestly. Julian's fingers
stilled, but he did not remove his hand from the Cardassian's groin.

"This is why you were reluctant when I asked you to hold me, wasn't it?"
said Julian shrewdly. "You were afraid of how you'd react, weren't you? And
to think I was shy of asking because I wasn't sure if you'd want to!" Garak
dropped his gaze, saying nothing. "Well, I notice you're not denying it,"
continued the doctor.

"It would be - difficult to deny, in the circumstances," observed Garak wryly.
"Given where you have your hand it's fair to say I have no secrets from you
now."

"I doubt that's entirely true," snorted Julian disbelievingly, "but right
now you would certainly be hard put to deny that you want me! So this was
why you insisted on being part of the rescue mission. I must admit that seemed
odd, not in character for you at all. This," the long, elegant fingers closed
briefly on Garak's erection again, "throws a whole new light on things."

"I rather imagine it does," muttered Garak, "but I do wish..."

"You wish I'd stop - or carry on?" breathed Julian intently. It was evident
that the Cardassian's response mattered to him a great deal. For the first
time since Garak had unlocked the door and entered his prison the doctor's
hazel eyes shone with something of his familiar spirit.

"I - I'd rather not..." said Garak indistinctly.

"You'd rather not come out and admit what you want? Garak, I'm disappointed
in you. You make this grand gesture by coming to rescue me and then just
saying a few simple words seems to be beyond you." Julian's eyes glittered
in the dim light of the cell. His thumb continued slowly stroking Garak's
cock through the fabric of his trousers. He knew the Cardassian must be close.
Would he admit to his feelings or just sit there until the doctor made him
come in his pants? Abruptly Garak's hand caught hold of Julian's wrist, stopping
the maddening caress.

"Doctor, if you know me at all then surely you have learnt that it is not
easy for me to speak of what I am feeling," said Garak slowly. "Do my actions
not speak for me? I came on this mission because when you were abducted I
feared I might never see you again. To my surprise I discovered that possibility
caused me considerable pain." The blue eyes locked onto Julian's and, for
once, they were utterly guileless, completely sincere. The depth of feeling
the doctor saw reflected in them shocked him.

"I have wanted you for a very long time, my dear doctor," Garak continued
with quiet intensity, "but had this situation not occurred I am not sure
that I would have been able to tell you." As Garak fell silent Julian reached
down with his free hand and felt for the fastening of the Cardassian's trousers.
Garak stared at him in open surprise.

"This is what you want, isn't it?" said Julian softly. The tailor
nodded dumbly. "It would be easier if I had both hands..."

Garak let go of the doctor's wrist and he quickly freed the Cardassian's
erection from his clothing. Julian looked at the steely length admiringly
as he began to stroke it rhythmically. The grey shaft was thick and decorated
with a spiralling pattern of raised scales. Their slight roughness felt
intriguing against the doctor's smooth palm. The plump head was a deeper,
charcoal colour and was presently leaking a slick, inky liquid.

"Most impressive," murmured Julian in a low voice, his lips close to Garak's
ear. His breath was warm against the sweeping ridges. "When we get back I
do hope you'll give me the chance for a more thorough exploration - in more
comfortable surroundings." The husky, seductive note in the words went straight
to the Cardassian's blood. He gasped an incoherent warning as he thrust hard
into Julian's encircling fingers and came.

The doctor smiled, pleased by the expression of intense pleasure on Garak's
face. He certainly didn't feel alone or abandoned now. Julian was more than
grateful that the Cardassian had been part of the rescue team. He continued
rubbing Garak's now limp cock gently, smoothing the sticky fluid over the
patterned skin. Finally, curious, Julian raised his hand to his mouth,
tentatively touching his tongue to the final traces on his fingertips. To
his surprise it tasted sweet, yet faintly spicy. He decided he approved.

Garak was watching Julian through narrowed eyes. The sight of the human licking
the taste of him from his slender fingers was powerfully erotic. Had he been
physically capable the Cardassian would have been tempted to roll Julian
onto his stomach and take him then and there, despite their uncomfortable
surroundings. No, it was probably just as well he was too tired. If he gave
in to that impulse he was likely to scare the doctor away forever. Besides,
who knew when Odo's signal might be given? Something a little less intense
was called for now, something to show Julian his appreciation and to bring
him the same delight Garak had just experienced.

"You enjoyed that?" teased Julian gently, as if the matter had been in any
doubt.

"A better question is, did you?" countered Garak. Julian merely smiled
enigmatically. The new growth of beard shading his face lent him a darker,
more mysterious air than usual. The Cardassian definitely approved; he enjoyed
getting to the bottom of a good mystery. With a calculating grin Garak caught
hold of the doctor's still slightly sticky hand and brought it to his own
mouth. Julian inhaled sharply as the Cardassian sucked each finger in turn,
cleaning them thoroughly with his long tongue. The gesture was unmistakably
suggestive and the doctor's breathing quickened in response. Eventually Garak
completed the task to his satisfaction. He kept hold of the hand though,
admiring its slender elegance and the delightful colour of the smooth skin.
Suddenly the Cardassian let his other hand drop to Julian's lap. his teeth
flashed white as he discovered the tell-tale hardness there.

"Oh well, doctor, I believe I have my answer."

"Is it really such a surprise to you, Garak?" asked Julian curiously. "That
I should want you?"

"I wasn't at all sure before today," admitted Garak, "but I hoped. It is
gratifying not to be disappointed. In any event, I certainly never imagined
you would want this - here..." Julian smiled bleakly.

"I don't think I have ever wanted - needed anything more," he confessed,
suddenly serious. "I was so afraid no-one was coming back for me. When they
didn't even give me water I thought I was being left to die, and all because
of someone's grudge against my father... Knowing you cared enough to come
and look for me - that's important to me."

Garak nodded his understanding. What the doctor was saying struck a chord
in him. He had felt something similar when he learned the lengths Julian
had gone to to keep him alive after his implant malfunctioned. The Cardassian
determined to replace the renewed pain in the young man's eyes with pleasure.
With a tailor's skill Garak found the hidden fastening of Julian's uniform
and unsealed it all the way down the front. Then he pushed the torn undershirt
out of his way, exposing the smooth chest to his avid gaze. The doctor shivered
as the cold, damp air touched his bare skin.

"Garak!" he protested. The Cardassian silenced him with a quick, unexpected
kiss. Julian's eyes opened wide as Garak drew back to judge the doctor's
reaction. Apparently what he saw pleased him for he leaned forward and kissed
Julian a second time - far more thoroughly. The human's mouth opened to him,
hesitantly at first, but then more eagerly as the Cardassian's questing tongue
explored.

When Garak's lips finally lifted from the doctor's they did not retreat this
time. Instead they began a trail of small kisses down Julian's neck, across
his chest - pausing briefly to nibble delicately at the chocolate coloured
nipples - then downward to his stomach. Broad grey hands followed in the
wake of the Cardassian's mouth. Julian shivered again, but it was no longer
from the cold.

Garak shifted his weight and began to nuzzle lower still. The musky scent
rising from the human's groin was quite different from the typically spicy
smell of a Cardassian. The entirely respectable erection was also something
new. Garak didn't think he'd ever seen anything so smooth and unadorned.
The colour of it delighted him too - the rich golden-brown hue that he had
discovered tinted all of Julian's skin now becoming suffused with a deepening
rose. Carefully Garak continued his trail of kisses, working from the base
to the tip of the human cock.

"Ah, Garak," whimpered Julian as the warm wetness of the Cardassian's mouth
suddenly engulfed him. "Oh don't... Ohhhh... Oh God, Garak! No! Yes... oh
please, yes!" The doctor's typically vocal response amused Garak. How like
the young man to talk too much, even during sex! Well, the Cardassian was
sure he could find better uses for that mobile mouth in future. For now he
simply basked in Julian's evident enjoyment of what he was doing. He licked.
He nibbled. He sucked. Each action brought a new gasp or cry from the doctor.
Finally the sounds increased alarmingly in volume and Julian's hips thrust
upward frantically as he came. Garak took everything he had to offer, learning
the salty taste.

When the tremors subsided Julian lay back, utterly limp and exhausted. He
barely had the energy to move his limbs, but he felt wonderful. With gentle,
precise movements Garak dressed the doctor as neatly as his damaged uniform
would permit, so that he would not become chilled as the sweat dried on his
skin. He also straightened his own clothing. Carefully then the Cardassian
pulled the young man's slight weight into his lap. Julian smiled contentedly
and slid his arms about Garak's neck possessively.

"Much better," he murmured sleepily. "Glad it was you who came to rescue
me. Don't think any of the others could have made the waiting so pleasant."
Garak sent him an answering smile.

"But what about when we return to DS9, my dear doctor?" he asked. "What then?"
For all the lightness of his tone the answer held considerable importance
for the Cardassian. He was still afraid the young man might count this as
a once-only experience.

"Hmmm? Oh, well, then we'll have a nice big bed to sleep in instead of this
cold, miserable place," said Julian dreamily. "You will come and help me
keep it warm, won't you?"

"Any time you wish me to," agreed Garak fervently.

"Good, that's settled then. Sounds like my idea of heaven right now," confided
Julian. "What do you think?" Garak was of the opinion that he liked the way
the doctor's mind was working. A warm bed and Julian Bashir to share it with
him was a fair definition of heaven to the Cardassian's way of thinking.
He kissed Julian lightly on the cheek and settled back with him wrapped tightly
in his arms to wait for the Constable's all clear.